Bid to use MBM as a fuel

A COMPANY has lodged an application with the relevant public authorities to use meat and bone meal (MBM) as an alternative fuel source in the production of cement.

Lagan Cement intends to use MBM as a fuel alongside coal at the company’s manufacturing plant at Killaskillen, near Kinnegad, in County Meath.

It said the use of MBM as a fuel source will significantly reduce net CO2 emissions levels, contribute beneficially to the local environment and assist Ireland in its reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, required under the Kyoto protocol. MBM is used extensively as a high performance fuel source in dozens of cement factories across Europe. Lagan said the kilns involved operate in excess of 1,400 degrees centigrade, greater than the temperature of molten volcanic lava, rendering the MBM fuel entirely inorganic.

The company said the burning of MBM as a fuel source was commonplace in the cement industry across Europe and that its proposal is environmentally beneficial, does not involve an incinerator and should not be confused with incineration.

Lagan Cement is required as part of the normal planning and consultation process, to seek approval of applications for change of fuel use to Meath County Council and to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence.